Exclusive: Tchouameni and Carvalho - How Liverpool are planning ahead for the future

With the possibility of an exceptional quadruple still alive, Liverpool are already planning for the future as they continue to demonstrate their excellence in executing a strategy that has served them so well in recent years.

Despite only making two signings in the last two transfer windows - which caused worry in some quarters - Ibrahima Konaté and Luis Diaz have turned out to be the perfect players at the ideal time - this is the business model that will continue to be in place for the club's future.

Jurgen Klopp will naturally be the face of the Liverpool project until 30 June 2026. The new contract, signed in recent days, confirms the harmony that is palpably felt between the manager and the club.

The strongest sign of the desire to continue together came at the end of January, when Klopp expedited the deal for Diaz as a priority, ensuring that it would be an excellent investment for the club.

For Klopp, it was an opportunity not to be missed, given the proposals from Tottenham and West Ham to sign the Colombian in January. Liverpool changed their original plans and invested in Diaz to show Klopp that they want to support his ideas to the fullest. In addition to Klopp's wife, Ulla, it was the spark that led to the new, fresh agreement until 2026.

Klopp will also be involved in all the transfer decisions in the coming months and he has already given his green light for the signing of Fulham's Fabio Carvalho. The deal is already closed, the paperwork has been completed in recent days and there is no doubt: Carvalho will soon be announced as the first new signing of the 2022/2023 season, with a long-term contract until June 30, 2027.

The Portuguese talent has already been to the AXA Training Centre to meet with Klopp and he extensively explored Liverpool's facilities before completing a medical - with Fulham's permission.

Liverpool will pay around £5m plus £2.7m in add-ons, including a sell-on clause for 20% of Carvalho's future sale. Liverpool faced competition from other clubs, who had tried to enter the race for his signature in February following the collapsed deal between Liverpool and Fulham on Deadline Day, for reasons of time in completing the contract.

But Carvalho has respected his agreement with the Reds, and the club themselves have an excellent relationship with Fulham after agreeing to keep the terms of the agreement reached in January instead of signing Carvalho on a free transfer this summer. The move has been particularly appreciated at Craven Cottage and future ties between the clubs are likely to be friendly.

Carvalho's programme for the future is very clear: as things stand there is no planned return to Fulham on loan next season. Liverpool intend to keep Carvalho in the first team and consider him part of the group, but the final confirmation will come during pre-season after Klopp has the chance to assess his new midfielder.

Meanwhile, Thiago is certainly enjoying life on Merseyside and the Spaniard is showing exactly why Klopp earmarked him for his midfield. The 31-year-old's quality continues to make a difference in recent weeks, with injuries finally giving way to his world-class abilities.

Leaving Liverpool never crossed Thiago's mind, despite rumours of Barcelona's interest in re-signing the midfielder last summer. Thiago sees his future only at Anfield, with continuity his priority and an excellent relationship with the manager. That's why a summer of rumours around Thiago is not to be expected. His priority is to continue with Liverpool on a long-term project and the feeling around the board is absolutely the same.

For Liverpool's summer transfer plans, Klopp's side are targeting a new midfielder in addition to Carvalho. Liverpool have been looking for a midfielder since Gini Wijnaldum left the club on a free transfer last summer.

Renato Sanches was one of the names on the shortlist back in 2021, but a move remains unlikely, with the Portuguese's salary demands especially ambitious and the competition for his signature high.

Aurelien Tchouameni is certainly a player being monitored by Liverpool, who have had conversations with the agent of the Monaco midfielder. However, the €45 million price tag - set last summer - is no longer valid. A far higher offer will be needed to prise Tchouameni away from France.

But the 22-year-old is planning for a different experience this summer and that is undoubtedly why Liverpool may be ready to make their move. However, Real Madrid have been following Tchouameni for some time, and the Reds will face competition from other top clubs interested in the French international.

What is likely to have a bearing on the situation is James Milner's decision on a contract extension. Should the 36-year-old opt to leave, the amount and level of investment in midfield in the summer is likely to be a much more pressing issue.

Klopp's preference is for Milner to stay for another season and the board will soon have new conversations with him for a final decision. For now, everyone's focus is on the dream of the quadruple, from Anfield to Paris, with Klopp in love with the Liverpool project for the present and future.